Matt became the senior pastor of Berean Bible Church in August 2016. He earned his BA in 1997 and his MS in 2004 from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. In 2015, he earned a MBS from Virginia Beach Theological Seminary. Before coming to Berean, he ministered at Bethel Baptist Church in Hampton, VA for over sixteen years in various capacities.

Matt and Deanna have three boys, Bryce, Noah, and Ethan.

Matt's desire is to see people become God-exalting, Christ-loving, disciple-making believers.

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Lee Ekleberry

Lee was born in Tiffin, Ohio and has remained a life-long Ohio resident. He met his wife, Nancy, at Cedar Point, where they both worked summer jobs while each attended different colleges. Married in 1965, they moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1969. Lee and Nancy have two adult children, Drew and Sarah (husband Tim), and four grandchildren, Caleb, Anna, Joelle, and Gabriel.

Lee was born-again in December 1971 through a small group Bible study, composed mostly of members of Calvary Bible Church.

Lee earned a Ph.D. in Art Education at The Ohio State University in 1983 and enjoyed a long teaching career as an art educator and education professor. His church ministries include teaching youth at various levels and Biblical Counseling (having completed advanced level courses in counseling from National Association of Nouthetic Counselors).

Donovan Hadaway

Donovan was born and raised in central Ohio. He has attended Berean since 2006 with this wife Lynnae and their three daughters, Alexandra, Rebekah, and Amberley. His first (and still his favorite) job was teaching junior high science. He taught for nine years, serving in Christian and public schools in South Carolina before moving back “home” to Ohio in 2004. Donovan still works in education as a territory manager for Precept Marketing Group, helping Christian schools develop curriculum and technology resources for their classrooms. His favorite verses are Matt. 5:14-16.